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Susan Boyle

The singer hit out at the Scottish spinster whose performance on the ITV1 talent show helped to draw in almost 14 million viewers.

Allen said: "I thought her timing was off on Sunday - no control, and I don't think she has an amazing voice."

In the message on Twitter she added that she thought 12-year-old Shaheen Jarfagholi was more talented than the Scots spinster.

She said: "She can sing, but it's not about talent with her, is it? She seems like a lovely lady but, if the show is about talent, then that Shaheen kid should win."

Boyle, 48, nicknamed the Hairy Angel, got off to a rocky start on Sunday when she performed Memory from Cats - but recovered later, winning her place in the final this weekend.

She said after the show that she had started badly because she had a cold.

She added: "I said to myself, Well, you'd better just pick yourself up and keep going'...the audience reaction was really stunning."

Allen also had some words to say about Boyle's fellow contestant, 10-year-old Natalie Okri, who was axed from the show on Sunday.

She said it was "verging on child cruelty" after the little girl burst into tears on live TV.

Last night's show saw north London dance group Flawless win their way into the grand final. The group, the last to perform in last night's second semi-final, performed a high-energy routine, dressed in military outfits, to the theme tune from the A-Team.

Following the success of their audition, in which they danced to Beggin' by Madcon, the boys were roundly praised last night.

Judge Cowell said: We've seen some utter junk tonight and that was utter genius.'